She lives up to the "Amazing" in Amazing Grace
I was spared by hurricane Irene. But I was hit by another strong force. Her name is Grace Kelly. This extraordinary jazz performer just blew me away. She is truly a force to be reckoned with.
I cannot sing her praises enough. I was enraptured with every note during her snazzy set at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston this past Thursday night. While most people were preparing for the storm the entire Art audience was wrapped up in a whirlwind all our own thanks to the extraordinary talent of Grace Kelly. She embodies every letter of the word J-A-Z-Z. At the end of the set we all naturally jumped to our feet for a much deserved standing ovation! For this music lover, it will always be a special moment…as I sat awestruck discovering a star. There is no doubt Grace’s ability and talent will soon take her into the stratosphere. I hope she remembers me as one of her early fans!
Miss Grace is 19 years old. She plays the sax, and is also a bandleader, arranger, composer, and singer. At age 14 she played alongside Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops. She has shared the stage with Esperanza Spalding, Wynton Marsalis, and the band James Farm. All things considered, her talent is unmatched.
Lee Konitz, one of Charlie Parker’s contemporaries who recorded with Miles Davis in the “Birth of the Cool” sessions, became one of her closest teachers. She is now unstoppable. Wynton Marsalis says “She has a great amount of natural ability and the ability to adapt that is the hallmark of a first-class jazz musician.” She has even played with Dave Brubeck among countless other greats!
If all the winds, the rains, and the bad news have you down, do something uplifting. When you are not reading Ageless with Aunty, check out this mega-talent Grace Kelly. She is everything a great musician should be AND MORE… She is so swinging cool…
AGELESS TIP OF THE WEEK: for anyone visiting or living in the Boston area, the Institute of Contemporary Art is a venue well worth any effort to get to. It’s stunning and stimulating. Get away from the tempest…wake up your senses….turn on some Jazz music and check out a vibrant museum….NOTHING LIKE A NATURAL HIGH.
3 comments:
Renee, you sure get around and meet interesting people and celebrities, even when storms are brewing. I see nothing holds you back and aunty is not far behind or may be she is far ahead as she breaks age barriers and old taboos herself.
I will remember to be more daring next time, and to hear Miss Kelly soon.
You look like 19 here too! Renee, you are a well informed host and commentator. If your blog writing can capture and create special moments and joys in time, I am sure your potential book is just the same, and to keep me, the reader wanting more. I would like to read your memoir, which may be like many long, interesting blogs or better I suppose.
Does Grace know she met "the" Renee Gold??
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